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Where to Eat, Shop, & Play in Dallas

I have lived in Dallas my entire life, and thought it might be really helpful to make a Dallas City Guide with all of my top picks in the city I know best. Dallas has almost too many places to eat and shop, so it is really helpful when visiting to have someone narrow all of the options down for you! Unfortunately, Dallas isn't the most naturally beautiful city in the country, but it still has so much to do if you have a few days to spend wandering around the city!

I did a three part series on my blog that has restaurants broken out by meal, all of the best places to shop, and a few of the best sights to see.

I've a work trip to Dallas at the beginning of October. I will stay 2 extra days. The hotel is at the airport so I'm planning on moving to downtown? when it's my extra 2 days off. I'll be there Friday/Saturday and leaving on Sunday. What can I see and do in that time--where should I stay for a hotel. Any help would be appreciated.

The airport (DFW) is about 30 minutes from the Downtown area of Dallas, so I think you are right to move Downtown after your business trip.

Depending on what type of hotel you are looking for ... Dallas has a bit of everything. Some of the most popular hotels near or in Downtown are The Joule, The Stoneleigh, and the Crescent. The Adolphus is a downtown hotel that is usually more affordable (it is in need of a bit of a renovation), but it is still well-known and popular.

You can't go wrong with the restaurants from my blog post above. Check and see if the place you choose takes reservations, that always helps.

I would check and see if there are any professional sports games going on when you are here if that is something that you are in to. If not, check out the Meyerson and the AT&T performing arts center sites to see if the symphony or another event is happening while you are here.

If you are in to mueseums- spend an afternoon at the Dallas Mueseum of Art and the Nasher Scuplture Center, which are right next to one another and are downtown.

If you would rather spend the day outside (it should be a bit more pleasant by October) go to the Arboretum. The State Fair may also be going on depending on which weekend you are here in October.

Also plenty of places to shop in my shopping guide- Dallas is definitely an eat and shop type of place.

Not sure I would send out of towners to any Papas or Eatzi's. Fine places to eat, but there is certainly better steak, cajun, and tex-mex to be had than anything Papas puts out there - at better prices too. Eatzi's is good, but not anything special.

Spirobulldog- I had never had souffle until I had eaten at Rise, and now I really enjoy them. It says that in my description of the restaurant in the post in the link above.

All of your suggestions are great Dallas places as well, they just aren't my personal favorites. Thanks for adding to the list! I stop by Eatzis on a regular basis- but usually when I need a last minute meal. Patrizio is wonderful- I have been making trips there for their Italian Cream Cake for many years.